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Hi All, been a lurker for a while, but 1st post - hurrah!
I've just decided that whilst the 1996 (!) GT pantera I have owned and fettled since new has been marvellous - it's time for an upgrade.
I'm a big chap (6'3 / 13.10 stone) who just rides every other week or so mostly locally on local trails which are mostly singletrack with loads of lovely roots, and I had either full suspension or a 29er in mind. After trying a few bikes out today, while I really enjoyed the 29ers - I think for pure off-road a FS wins it in the fun stakes for me.
Anyways... within my 1400 budget, I'm down to a shortlist of Scott spark 60 (£1250 on sale), or a specialized camber elite (£1390 on sale).
Here is a spec comparison (you'll need to past the whole link as the '|' breaks the hyperlink)
http://www.evanscycles.com/products-comparison?products=ec025035|ec025353
Both are pretty much exactly the same weight, despite the scott seemingly having what looks like lower spec components across the board. I especially liked the dual lockout on the scott also.
Just wasn't sure if going for what is 'entry level' with the scott - with lower spec shocks - may make it an unwise purchase when it comes to long-term performance or servicing, or how well either bike would perform when pushed - I only got to ride them on roads and in a park, so couldn't thrash 'em as much as I'd like!
Any advice or experiences welcome!
Also worth a look- http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtb/fs_team.html
A good couple of hundred cheap and certainly comparable spec, if anything better forks on the Boardman.
Out of the two options, I'd go Scott, mainly because I'm a bit of fan compared to Spesh, and I like my bikes quite racey, likely(im guessing here and correct me if I'm wrong) to have steeper angles on the Spark, which might seem at more at home, considering the bike you're upgrading from?
Cheers. Yup, I actually had the Boardman comp on my list to test-ride today as it does look riduclously good value (albet not as good as the 2010 models). Unfortunately after visiting 3 Halfords stores & phoning around, it seems they don't actually have any of them to sell. In any store nationwide(!)
Which I was a little peeved about tbh given their website was so keen to shout that they were available!
Not owned a Scott but from what I've read in reviews they have a tendency to snap, I'd go for the spesh but that's only my opinion.
Scott is definitely more racey where as the spesh is more of an all round trail bike. Sparks have a tendency to bob slightly more than others when pedalling, but i think the spesh is fairly firm under power? Love my spesh FSR XC, for which the Camber is the replacement, it's really stable and surefooted on the downs, if a little numb. Doesn't make me want to hop, skip and jump around, just pick a smooth line and let it run. That may well be faster, but not as much fun. Hope that helps.
Camber is an awesome bike. Just built one up from a frame I got on eBay and I am blown away by how good it rides. I do a regular 17 mile commute on it with slicks and had it in Wales for a 3 dayer last weekend where it flew up and down.
my experiance and any ones i know is specialized need a bearing replacment every year or less at about £110+ fitted, bit crap really
Cheers guys.
Well, just laid out deposits for both bikes at Evans to get in in XL sizes I can test-ride back to back on Thursday night. Discovered extra 10% discout off sale price with CTC membership which effectively brings the Scott in at £300 cheaper, so am secretly hoping it comes off well in the back to back test ride!
How did the test ride go? I might be looking at all the frames you mention above.
Isnt the Spark 100mm travel against the Camber 120mm?